The Joy of Freedom
Today is a special day. Today I have the joy and privilege of celebrating true
freedom with my family and more importantly my God. It's not often that the 4th
of July is on a Saturday and I'm with both of my parents anymore. Last year my
dad worked, the year before I was in Nashville, etc. As simple as it is I'm
joyful because my dad smoked a brisket, there's sweet tea, corn, watermelon and
apple pie for dessert. I've been reading C.S. Lewis' 'The Screwtape Letters' and
thinking about all that I am thankful for today.
As I've read this book, I'm thankful for the spirit of God in me that gives me wisdom and discernment to know what is true. I'm thankful for friends and family, no matter what the distance. I'm thankful for the privilege of a college education. I'm thankful everything God has given me in this world but I am most thankful for the freedom I have in Christ and my relationship with Him.
As I drove through my parents neighborhood today I looked at each and every home with an American flag out. The American flag is much more than just a patriotic symbol. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies and the stars represent the 50 states we have today.
As much as I love the symbol of our nation's freedom, I am far more amazed by the freedom there is in Christ Jesus. His blood ran red as He took the weight of sin and defeated death on a cross. As He rose again heaven rejoiced and glory was given to God our father. As strange as it may sound, that's what I think of when I see the American flag. I see the red stripes and I think of the blood that was shed for me. I see the white stripes and I think of the pardon that has been granted to me on behalf of Christ. I see the blue and I think of the cleansing power of Christ over my sin. I see the white stars and I thank God for adopting me as His daughter.
As I celebrate freedom today I think about those who are still waiting, still hoping for freedom, both physically and spiritually. There are millions enslaved by human trafficking and millions seeking refuge from terrorism all over the world. This is just physical enslavement, it doesn't even begin to describe the spiritual poverty that exists all over the world.
I bring all of this up because I will be spending this fall working with refugees who are searching for hope physically as well as spiritually. It's been 2 years since I blogged on here and since I've worked with refugees. I finished school this year, I prayed about it and God confirmed that my next step is to go again and share hope with the nations that have come here to America. This time I'll be in Texas though. I'm leaving to go to Ft.Worth in about 2 months. That's still awhile but I will be blogging again as it draws near and wanted to start the updates now.
As you celebrate freedom today, be thankful for the freedoms we still have in America for now and pray for those who are searching for physical and spiritual freedom. Also, pray for me as God prepares my heart for this next journey in my life.
- Chelsea
As I've read this book, I'm thankful for the spirit of God in me that gives me wisdom and discernment to know what is true. I'm thankful for friends and family, no matter what the distance. I'm thankful for the privilege of a college education. I'm thankful everything God has given me in this world but I am most thankful for the freedom I have in Christ and my relationship with Him.
As I drove through my parents neighborhood today I looked at each and every home with an American flag out. The American flag is much more than just a patriotic symbol. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies and the stars represent the 50 states we have today.
As much as I love the symbol of our nation's freedom, I am far more amazed by the freedom there is in Christ Jesus. His blood ran red as He took the weight of sin and defeated death on a cross. As He rose again heaven rejoiced and glory was given to God our father. As strange as it may sound, that's what I think of when I see the American flag. I see the red stripes and I think of the blood that was shed for me. I see the white stripes and I think of the pardon that has been granted to me on behalf of Christ. I see the blue and I think of the cleansing power of Christ over my sin. I see the white stars and I thank God for adopting me as His daughter.
As I celebrate freedom today I think about those who are still waiting, still hoping for freedom, both physically and spiritually. There are millions enslaved by human trafficking and millions seeking refuge from terrorism all over the world. This is just physical enslavement, it doesn't even begin to describe the spiritual poverty that exists all over the world.
I bring all of this up because I will be spending this fall working with refugees who are searching for hope physically as well as spiritually. It's been 2 years since I blogged on here and since I've worked with refugees. I finished school this year, I prayed about it and God confirmed that my next step is to go again and share hope with the nations that have come here to America. This time I'll be in Texas though. I'm leaving to go to Ft.Worth in about 2 months. That's still awhile but I will be blogging again as it draws near and wanted to start the updates now.
As you celebrate freedom today, be thankful for the freedoms we still have in America for now and pray for those who are searching for physical and spiritual freedom. Also, pray for me as God prepares my heart for this next journey in my life.
- Chelsea
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